"Out already? Feeling any better?"
From his seat atop a massive boulder, Liu Xi turned to glance toward the cave entrance—where Qing Yanjing slowly stepped out.
A flicker of amazement flashed in his eyes. After her bath, Qing Yanjing carried a unique air of languid grace. Her slightly damp long hair hung loosely, her cheeks glistened faintly with moisture, and her eyes shimmered like misty stars. She looked like a freshly washed peach—radiant, tender, and intoxicating to behold.
Qing Yanjing walked over with graceful steps and bowed slightly. "Thanks to the Spiritual Liquid refined by you, sir, I feel much better now. I believe I'll recover completely soon."
The effects of the Spiritual Liquid were astonishing. Just one use had largely healed her damaged meridians. When all of it was used up, she would likely be fully restored.
Liu Xi leapt down from the boulder, stretched lazily, and smiled. "Let's go together. We should see which continent this is."
"Alright." Qing Yanjing nodded softly.
Liu Xi stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, rising into the sky with her in his embrace.
Qing Yanjing let out a startled cry, then turned to glance at Liu Xi's calm profile. Truth be told—she could already fly on her own. Yet the warmth of his hand around her waist… it was hard to reject such considerate "assistance." Her cheeks flushed, but she said nothing.
Liu Xi caught her bashful expression from the corner of his eye, the corners of his lips curving upward into a sly, triumphant smile.
Holding a beauty in his arms while soaring through the sky—wind sweeping past, sun blazing above—it was hard not to feel carefree.
He chuckled. "Tell me, what kind of place is the Buddha Clan like?"
"Eh?" Caught off guard by his sudden question, Qing Yanjing blinked in surprise, the blush on her cheeks still lingering.
Liu Xi's tone softened as he smiled faintly. "I've heard that the Buddha Clan is one of the five ancient clans of the Great Thousand World—rich in heritage and blessed with noble bloodlines."
"I've seen that depth of heritage for myself now. Someone as young as you, already at the peak of Earth Sovereign, is a rarity even in this vast world."
"But as for that noble bloodline," Liu Xi's tone turned teasing, "I was told that members of the Buddha Clan are all lofty and arrogant, never deigning to look at outsiders. Yet the clan leader's daughter turned out to be so gentle, kind, and beautiful. Truly unexpected."
At first, Qing Yanjing listened seriously—but by the end, her whole face had turned crimson. Those weren't questions anymore—they were open, shameless flattery!
Something was definitely off.
Trying to steer the conversation back to normal, she said quickly, "It's not that special. The Buddha Clan's ancestor started as a mere mortal, fighting his way to the peak of the Great Thousand World. Only then did the Buddha lineage begin."
"As for us juniors, we're just basking in the shade of our ancestors' achievements. I can't compare to someone like you, Senior Qing Lian, who singlehandedly reached the Late Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm."
"You even slew countless Fiend Clan members beyond the heavens. You're the hero of the Great Thousand World!"
Her voice carried genuine admiration, her eyes glimmering with reverence.
Liu Xi laughed heartily. "For those born in the Great Thousand World, slaying Fiends is simply one's duty."
"The path of cultivation is arduous. Having predecessors to pave the way makes it easier… but me—"
He sighed deeply, his expression darkening with a hint of melancholy.
"I come from a lower realm—a commoner among mortals. My life was as fragile as an ant's. Every step I took in cultivation was hard-earned. When I first managed to produce Dou Qi, you can't imagine how thrilled I was."
"Ah, Dou Qi… it's the energy unique to my lower world—crude and volatile, far inferior to Spiritual Energy. Hardly efficient at all."
"Afterward, I sought teachers, fought for survival, and clawed my way upward step by step. The hardships… no one could ever understand."
He sighed wistfully again.
In truth, thanks to his foreknowledge, his journey had been smooth. But no one in this world knew that—so why not embellish a little?
As expected, Qing Yanjing's eyes softened with compassion. She radiated maternal warmth as she leaned into him and gently wrapped her arms around his chest.
"There, there… It's all in the past now. You're a Late Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign—one of the top powerhouses in the Great Thousand World. With your talent, even breaking through to the Saint Grade isn't impossible. When that day comes, all your struggles will have been worth it."
Hearing this, Liu Xi smiled warmly and replied softly, "How embarrassing… I didn't mean to ramble. Perhaps it's because you make me feel strangely at ease."
He looked at her and continued, "Enough about me. Tell me about yourself. I'd like to know more."
Having let her guard down, Qing Yanjing didn't refuse. Her tone softened further. "My father is the current Clan Leader of the Buddha Clan. I was born late in his life, so he dotes on me greatly. Ever since I was young, I've been treated like a precious gem."
"When my talent was tested and proved strong, he gave me everything I wanted."
Liu Xi suddenly interjected with a grin. "If that's the case, shouldn't you have turned out spoiled and temperamental? But you're so gentle and kind—that surprises me."
"Don't interrupt!" Qing Yanjing huffed softly, shooting him a charming glare before continuing.
She spoke of her blissful childhood, then of the troubles that came when her father's health began failing—how the Mo and Xuan lineages began circling like vultures.
Liu Xi listened attentively, occasionally adding a teasing remark that earned him more helpless, endearing glances.
When a woman speaks of her past without reservation, that says everything.
Suddenly, Liu Xi's expression changed.
"Wait."
"What is it?" Qing Yanjing asked curiously.
"There's something below. Let's take a look."
He spoke, tightened his hold around her waist, and dived down toward a vast forest below.
A man must know when to be gentle—and when to be bold.
Qing Yanjing said nothing more, simply resting quietly in his arms.
Liu Xi followed the faint fluctuation he'd sensed earlier—a strange aura that blended burning heat with abundant life force.
Moments later, they landed before a charred cave, blackened by intense flames unlike any ordinary fire.
And there, lying quietly in the center, was a black egg radiating vibrant life force—the creature within still slumbering.
Liu Xi murmured, "I think… I know where this is."
Qing Yanjing blinked in confusion. "???"
(End of Chapter)
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